https://www.beverlyreview.net/sports/article_64c6922a-f769-4984-8829-f7853994be5a.html

St. Ignatius senior Samantha Steinhofer will enroll at the University of Notre Dame this fall to pursue a degree in biology, so, this spring is her last season as a softball player. And, as a four-year varsity starter helping lead a young, but talented, Wolfpack squad, she’s looking to make the most of it. And, Steinhofer did just that on April 11, going 3 for 4 with 3 RBI, 3 singles and a walk as St. Ignatius lost an 11-10 heartbreaker in nine innings to host Evergreen Park (EP) in the Southside Softball Showcase.

“For me, since this is my last season playing softball, it really is ‘leave it all out on the field,’” Steinhofer said. “That’s been my mindset, especially really close games like this. I’ve always been one for close games down to the last inning, clutch hits and rooting for everyone. Games like this, it’s all about trusting everyone on the field.”

St. Ignatius scored a run each in the seventh and ninth only to see EP rally in its half of the ninth. EP senior shortstop Sofie Panatera walked it off with a 2-run homer to left field. In its first game at the Southside Showcase on April 11, St. Ignatius lost 5-2 to Oak Forest. The tourney also featured St. Laurence, De La Salle and Tinley Park. Leading a balanced attack against EP were juniors Giovanna Sanfratello (3 hits, RBI), Anne Crotty (3 runs) and Clare Barnickol (double, run, walk), sophomores Eliana Romero (double, 3 RBI, run) and Lilliana Lynch (run, single), seniors Sophia Fredericks (2 hits, RBI) and Rachael Dombrowski (walk, run) and freshmen Zoe Smith (3 hits, 2 walks, 2 RBI) and Katherine McClain (run, walk). Steinhofer, Dombrowski, Fredericks and Sarah Fitzgerald all played for St. Ignatius’ Class 3A state runner-up team in 2022 as freshmen. They’ve grown up in the program and are hoping to lead the Wolfpack to a successful spring. Steinhofer said she wants the team to bring as much enthusiasm to each game as possible, whether on the field or in the dugout.

“It’s having better energy and picking each other up even if someone makes an out,” Steinhofer said. “It’s never giving up. We used to struggle with our energy in the dugout. In close games, it’s having that mindset and having that energy.”

Steinhofer has played first base and outfield for the Wolfpack. An Oak Park resident, she said she worked with Bruce Morgan, a hitting coach with the Oak Park Windmills, since she was 10 years old. Morgan died unexpectedly in February 2024.

“He was the best,” Steinhofer said. “He’s had the biggest impact on me, and he’s helped so many girls with the Windmills. He always talked about ending your hitting session in those game situations so that you’re experienced in those situations. Then, there’s no alternative. You’ve got to get a hit.”

Steinhofer displayed her clutch gene for St. Ignatius late in the EP game. She had a RBI single in the fifth and then put the Wolfpack up 8-7 with another RBI single in the seventh to left field to score McClain. Evergreen Park tallied a run in the bottom half of the inning to force extra innings. St. Ignatius Coach Allison Heraty, a Mt. Greenwood resident, said she knows that Steinhofer will deliver at the plate and in the field.

“Sam started off as a shy freshman,” Heraty said. “Now, she owns it and what she can bring to the team. She knows what she can do defensively. She’s solid. She always comes through in the clutch in the late innings. She’s a good kid, reliable, and the younger kids look up to her in those situations.”

Steinhofer said she enjoys the pressure of late-game situations with everything on the line.

“For me, I have always loved being in those situations,” Steinhofer said. “It is having that experience and thinking you’ve got to get a hit.”

Sanfratello, a junior pitcher/infielder for the Wolfpack, is a three-year starter, and she said she’s feeling even stronger with two years of varsity experience under her belt, especially when she’s pitching.

“There’s definitely a difference this year,” Sanfratello said. “I’ve been strong hitting but lacking in pitching the last couple years. I could have done better. Seeing it translate this year has been really good.”

Sanfratello batted leadoff against EP and reached base 6 times with 3 hits, a walk, an intentional walk, and an error before being lifted for a courtesy runner, Crotty.Sanfratello said the team has clicked quickly this spring.

“We lost a lot of seniors, but I will say, we weren’t expecting to mesh together so quickly,” Sanfratello said. “We got into that groove. We can pick each other up well. I know everyone on the team has an opportunity to have my back and be there for me. I hope I can do the same for them.”